I wrote before how I had started Pristiq and was having many side effects only after taking it the first day. Well, today is day 3, happy to report, besides a little bit of gastrointestinal issues, I am feeling better. Here is my question... Is it possible to start to feel the benefits of this drug in 3 days? Although, I did not sleep as well as normally, I woke up feeling pretty good, usually it takes me a while to feel fully awake and even then I havn't felt fully awake in about a year. Ha! But I am starting to not feel the depression so much, I might actually want to go out of the house today! Could it be working already? I know the whole placebo thing, but this is different, either way, It feels like a light at the end of the tunnel, so far... so good!
How fast will I feel Pristiq working?
Question posted by angi123 on 21 July 2010
Last updated on 3 August 2018
5 Answers
I know this is an old post but thought my reply may help someone. As pristiq is a norepherine and seretonin reuptake inhibitor (in simple it alters the level of these chemicals present in the brain) it is very likely that you will experience the effects of this drug very soon after starting to take them.
I also felt relief the day after I started taking 50 mg of Pristiq, I wasn't on anything before. The only side effects that I'm noticing is the jaw tightness, a bit of a sore stomach and I don't have much of an apetite. But It's so nice not feeling anxious and overthinking!
I also had the same effect from Pristiq on about day 2-3 (popped right up out of bed, tons of energy and motivation. Felt on top of the world)... by day 10, this sudden burst of energy and wellbeing wore off. I truely think that is just a side effect and lasts only until your body gets used to it. My doc says to give it a month to see how it's going to work for me. I am new to antidepressants and am thankful for all the similar experiences I'm seeing here on the message board.
Take Car
You must be new to anti-depressants, because most don't work that fast.I'm surprised if you feel better already; although when I started on Cymbalta I think it worked faster. I took that for about 5 years and then it quit working. I switched to Prisiq on July 3 and only yesterday did I really think it's starting to work. I'm surprised your MD didn't tell you that It takes time for the initial side effects to wear off and the help kick in. If I didn't know I would have never kept taking it - I was so tired & itchy & sweaty! I'm starting to add Abilify to Pristiq but I got such a bad headache this & felt nauseous I skipped a day. good luck, sharon h
I felt a immediate difference with this drug also. It can take up to a full month but for me it was fast also. I think there is something to this drug that it DOES work right away. This is my experience. I don't think your feeling a placebo effect I think your actually feeling the medicine work! I hope you have as good of luck as I have had with it! Sounds like its helping you so far! I wish you the best! I hope this answer helps you somehow.
did you have any side effects?
The reason some medicines work fast is because of the active ingredients that are similar to other antidepressants you were taking or took before starting pristiq. So in a way your body became quickly aware of the time you took to feel good through pills, giving other similar pills a head start that helps it work faster.
What is your dosage?
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Further information
- Pristiq uses and safety info
- Pristiq prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pristiq (detailed)
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